Bensalem Township School District is following the lead of its neighbors, erring on the side of caution for the start of the 2020-21 academic year.
During a school board meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 12, it was decided, after a vote of 8-1, that all Owls will begin the semester fully remote on Sept. 8. The goal, depending on new COVID-19 cases, is to offer a hybrid option (in-person and remote) on Nov. 12.
“We miss our students and all the advantages that being together provides us. But COVID-19 still poses a health threat,” said Superintendent Dr. Sam Lee, who brought participants’ attention to massive outbreaks in Georgia after schools brought students back too soon.
According to Lee, this remote model will be more structured than what the district was forced to put together with little warning in the spring. Teachers will utilize the same curriculum they normally use in the classroom, with refinements made for remote learning. Although there will be asynchronous/flexible instruction, daily attendance is required. Students can take advantage of virtual office hours, meetings with certified school counselors if needed, and technology support for their devices, which are available through the district for each family.
Grades K-6 will use Google Classroom, and complete 900 annual hours/180 days of school, which equates to five hours of daily instructional hours. “Plugged in” activities include watching direct instruction lessons, online research and discussion boards. “Unplugged” activities include reading a book, completing an art project and physical exercise.
Grades 7-12 will use Schoology, and complete 990 annual hours/180 days of school, which equates to 5.5 daily instructional hours. Each class will be a 45- to 50-minute remote lesson. College and career counseling will be available.
Additionally, there will be orientation resources for all families and students, including a possible socially distant meet-and-greet with teachers before the first day of classes. Access to food services will continue.
For the highest-need students, such as those with disabilities, the district is working on a phased-in approach to safely bring them into the buildings ahead of Nov. 12.
Ultimately, Lee said the goal is to have a seamless transition back to brick and mortar when the time comes. The Nov. 12 date will be reassessed in October, at which time factors such as the number of local cases, children’s role in transmission and the availability of a vaccine will be taken into consideration.
A survey was sent out to parents and guardians on Aug. 5, with 3,211 reponses showing the community split down the middle. While 43 percent wanted a hybrid model beginning in September, 42 percent requested a totally remote option.
This split was witnessed further during the public comment portion of the meeting. While some said the hardships that come with remote learning are worth it if one life is saved, others said they cannot afford to pay for childcare while they’re at work. Many parents of kindergarteners wondered if their child could submit assignments in the evening, when they’re home to assist.
There were concerns over sending students back in the middle of flu season, and the fear that would rapidly spread if a child or teacher simply coughed or sneezed in the classroom. There was also the question of whether or not there would be synchronous/live lectures, with many in agreement these would be more informative than an all-asynchronous curriculum. Lee said he would email commenters individually.
It was then time for the board to share its thoughts on the plan. While members expressed understanding that remote learning is not ideal for many in the community, most agreed it’s the only option at this time.
“This is not a question of ‘if.’ It is a question of ‘when’ – when we have an outbreak, because all it takes is one person. What does that mean for all the other kids and staff in that building that come in contact with that person? Now they have to quarantine for 14 days. Now their families have to quarantine for 14 days,” said board member Vanessa Woods. “I’m not sure that the risk is worth the reward … There are so many levels of uncertainty, and that’s what is scary to me. We can’t just make normal happen. These are not normal, ordinary circumstances.”
Stephanie Ferrandez advocated for phasing in a “hybrid plus remote” option for the younger grades on Sept. 15, although she said this would be difficult to do now because surveys were distributed too late. According to Ferrandez, voting to open in November may mean a spring reopening if COVID-19 cases spike during cold and flu season. A November start would also force bus drivers and lunch staff to be without work for a longer period of time.
“We need a progressive plan to return to our buildings prior to November,” she said. “We need to take action, although it needs to be cautious action.”
Rachel Fingles called for a renewed focus on education, which, ironically, she said has been lacking throughout the development of the Continuity of Education plan. As of Wednesday, it was undecided if teachers would be required to teach from their classrooms in September (which Fingles opposed), or if they could do so from home. A final decision was slated to be made during an executive session this week.
“I don’t think it’s going to solve any problems. It’s going to put people who have children in hardship positions,” she said. “We need teachers to teach our children, and I don’t care where they do it from. I think bringing the teachers in the building is a little bit insulting. We should trust them to do their job.”
All voted “yes” to the reopening plan, aside from Ferrandez because of the proposed Nov. 12 date.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
